Rafa today identified Momo Sissoko as the unsung hero of Liverpool's FA Cup Final triumph.

Benitez accepts many of his stars were below par in Cardiff, but he says Sissoko was as inspirational as skipper Steven Gerrard in helping the Reds fight their way back from two down.

The aftermath of the final summed up Sissoko's season, with few outside Merseyside recognising the importance of the Mali international.

Benitez, however, believes the 21-year-old has proved to be one of his most successful signings.

'Momo did for us what he's done all season,' said Benitez.

'He worked very hard right until the end, and he was very important for us, not just on Saturday, but throughout the year.

'Some of my staff came to me at the end of the game and said they thought Momo would have been their man-of-the-match as well as Steven Gerrard.

'Maybe a lot of people don't recognise how important Momo is, but everyone at the club knows it.'